Resealable container closure



Aug. 23, 1966 w. SATZ RESEALABLE CONTAINER CLOSURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan.. 20, 1964 INVENTOR. 'MLL/QM Snrz BY BMW AT TORN EYS Aug. 23,1966 w, s z 3,268,106

RESEALABLE CONTAINER CLOSURE Filed Jan. 20, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIE W11.1. mm 6n T '2 INVENTOR.

ATTOQNEV w. SATZ 3,268,106

RESEALABLE CONTAINER CLOSURE Aug. 23, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan.20, 1964 W/LL/AA/I SATZ INVENTOR.

A TORNEYS Aug. 23, 1966 w. SATZ 3,268,106

RESEALABLE CONTAINER CLOSURE Filed Jan. 20, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet I N VENTOR.

ATTOQNEVS United States Patent 3,268,106 RESEALABLE CONTAINER CLOSUREWiiliam Satz, 6404 Colgate Ave., Los Angcles, Calif. Filed Jan. 20,1964, Ser. No. 338,822 14 Claims. (Cl. 220--60) The invention concernsclosures for containers and is one particularly concerned with adependable seal operable between a lid and a container suitable as apermanent seal, capable of being broken without the employment of anyspecial tool, and also of such character that it can be reused.

This is a continuation-in-part of copending applications Serial No. 90,119, filed February 17, 1961, and Serial No. 268,230, filed March 27,1963, now abandoned.

In the design and construction of container closures, the ever-presentaim has been for closures which are simple and inexpensive thereby tokeep down the cost of mere containers needed for the preservation offoods which when not properly packed in hermetically sealed containerswould be perishable. The commonest expedient for preserving foods inthis fashion is the conventional tin can which is a tin-plated, sheetmetal can wherein the contents are sealed by soldering the closure uponthe body of the can. Although this is a fundamentally economical type ofcontainer, it has the disadvantage of necessitating employment of aspecial tool such as a can opener in order to open the can when thecontents are to be used. Obviously, tin cans of the variety madereference to cannot be rescaled once they have been opened and in fact,cannot even be recovered except by a broken ragged-edged lid bent backpartially into place.

Where attempts have been made to construct a tin can possessed of areusable lid such, for example, as the familiar coffee cans, these cansalso need to be broken open by use of a special key whereby a strip ofthe metal of the can is torn loose in the opening process. can be usedto recover the can, it is, of course, not capable of being used forrescaling the can. Moreover, the structure involved is appreciably moreexpensive in both use of material and in the process involved inclosingand scaling in the first instance.

Some attempts have been made in the past to provide a lid capable ofsealing a container such as a can by employment of a sealing ring ofresilient material but the structure has been such that those devicesheretofore devised have not been successful and employment has beendiscarded for sundry reasons. Among the more serious objections to thosedevices heretofore devised has been the presence of sharp cutting edgespresent on both the container and the lid after sealing as Well asbefore and the inability of the sealing structure to maintain a positiveseal for an indefinite length of time. Among further disadvantages ofthose devices heretofore proposed has been the need for a very criticalconstruction of the scaling faces not readily obtainable :by ordinarymeans, the tolerances being such as to necessitate a very bulky sealingring to accomplish the scaling in the first instance, the ring, however,being so bulky that the size is initially disadvantageous from thehandling and cost point of view and subsequently disadvantageous aftercompression into the sealed joint because of inability to maintain theseal for a period as long as is needed for storing merchandise such ascanned goods.

On those occasions where glass jars are used, for seals heretoforeavailable, except for screw top closures, prying is also necessary andthe commonest type of prying for which usually a can opener is the tool,indents the top inwardly from the edge for an appreciable portion of thecircumference which results in loosening the seal sufficiently so thatwhen the closure is reapplied the seal is not tight. Other types of jarseals for the most part have Although the lid ice to be mutilated inorder to remove the closure and are therefore not reusable.

It is therefore among the objects of the invention to provide a new andimproved seal for attaching a lid to a container which by virtue of itsconstruction is easy to apply, which remains tight at all times, andwhich can be readily opened without the use of a special tool andwithout mutilating 0r destroying either the closure or the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved canclosure constructed of the same material as the can itself but sodesigned that the scaling effect is achieved by projecting the closureinto the interior of the open end of the can thereby to preserve aclean, smooth exterior surface to facilitate handling, packing, andstoring of the cans while, at the same time, presenting a closurecapable of being easily openend without special tools and Withoutmutil-ating the can or closure.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedinside seal for containers such as cans provided with a lid, the sealingportions of which are so constructed that they can support widetolerances and accordingly be capable of rapid, efiective scaling in afashion which establishes a permanent seal comparable to the sealachieved by soldering techniques but which is one whereby neither theclosure nor the container need be broken when the seal is broken inorder to remove the contents.

Still further among the objects of the invention is to provide a new andimproved inside seal for use between a container and a closure, theclosure being such that it is capable of accepting the bottom end of asimilar can when cans are to be stacked one upon another, the seal beingfurther one which needs no objectionable projecting portions around therim in order to provide means for opening the container by a simpleremoval of the closure.

Still further among the objects of the invention is to provide a new andimproved inside seal useful on both cans and jars which in effect is aconcealed seal capable of being removed by hand without the use of anytool or, if need be, by only a very simple tool, the seal, and thecontainer as well, being so constructed that all corners are amplyrounded so that they can be easily cleaned of contents and so thatrecesses are rounded and ample in order to avoid accumulation ofcontents.

Further included among the objects of the invention is to provide a newand improved inside seal for containers which is secure at all times andmoreover which is of such character that it is capable of being rescaledrepeatedly after removal.

With these and other objects in view, theinvention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of thedevice whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter setforth, pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the device showing the closure insealed position on the container;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showingthe position of the closure immediately prior to application to thecontainer;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View similar .to FIGURE2 showing the position of the closure after application to the containerand before the final sealing pressure takes place;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the line4-4 of FIGURE 1 showing the relationship of the closure to the containerafter the final sealing pressure has been applied.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of another form ofthe invention showing the closure and a metal container in the relativepositions occupied immediately prior to completion of a sealingoperation.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view similar to FIGURE5 showing the closure. and container completely sealed.

FIGURE 6a is a slightly modified form of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the closureapplied to a glass jar with the parts shown in completely sealedposition.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view partially broken awayshowing a third form of the invention.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the joint ofFIGURE 8 showing a closure and container in the positions occupiedimmediately prior to sealing.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing theclosure and container in the positions occupied when the seal iscomplete.

In an embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustrationthere is shown a container 10 which may be of any conventional materialbut which in the chosen embodiment has been shown as a preserving canhaving the customary thin wall commonly employed for cans used in thepreservation of vegetables, fruits and similar food stuffs. A closure 11is shown in FIGURE 1 applied to the container for sealing the contentsof the container hermetically.

The container which may be referred to as a vessel has a wall 12 and abottom 13 defining a chamber 14 for reception of material to bepreserved. The wall 12 ter-' minates in a somewhat composite rim 15. Therim is so constructed as to present an, outwardly extending containerprojection 16 having side portions 17 and 18. Externally of theoutwardly extending annular projection 16 is an inwardly extendingannular projection 19 presenting a curved inner surface and having aninternal side 20 which is a continuation of the side portion 18 and anexternal side 21 in the form of a shelf. The internal side 20 and theexternal side 21 are wall sections of the container. The internal sidemay be described as being relatively fiat and annular. In the chosenembodiment it is substantially parallel to and spaced a short distancefrom the external side 21. The side 21 may further be described asconstituting a radially outwardly extending relatively flat firstsealing area terminating at its outermost perimeter in a rounded lip orbead 22 serving as a reinforcement as well as a spacer formed by turningover the outermost edge of the metal.

The closure 11 has a relatively flat top 25 provided at its perimeterwith a sealing rim indicated generally by the reference character 26.

The sealing rim 26 is of special construction and consists of anoutwardly extending rounded projection or bead 27 which because of itsform serves to reinforce the closure. The projection has an internallyfacing side 28 which extends radially inwardly to form a relatively flatsealing area 29 separated from the internally facing side 28 by anannular bead 30. Located radially inwardly of the sealing area 29 is arecess 31, the exterior diameter of which is slightly less than thediameter of the projection 19. A camming head 32 adjoins the recess 31and has an outwardly convex shape terminating in a cam face 33. Anannular sealing ring 35 may on occa sions be a-separate somewhat typicalring of sealing rubber or similar material adapted to fit upon thesealing area 29 and perhaps extend into the recess 31 or may be also oneadapted to fit upon the first sealing area formed on the external side21 within the lip 22. A less expen sive type of sealing ring 35, equallyeffective is one of a material which can be painted upon either thesealing area 29 or the sealing area of the side 21 so as to stick to oneside or the other in a thickness sufiicient to ultimately become aneffective seal between the parts.

To make certain of an effective sealing action, practice has indicatedthat the camming head 32 at its largest diameter should be approximatelyone-third of one percent of its diameter greater than the minimum insidediameter of the projection 19. It has also been found that the curvatureof the part 32 should be approximately as shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4with respect to the curvature of the surface of the part 19 so thatthere will be a continually acting camming etfect after the closure hasbeen applied Which will exert constant and undiminishing pressure uponthe seal 35 thereby to maintain the closure in place and in sealedcondition upon the container.

. When the closure is to be applied to the container the parts areinitially in the relative positions shown in FIG- URE 2. Thereafter theclosure is forced toward the container so that the parts initially havethe relative positions shown in FIGURE 3. In this relationship thecamming bead 32 is pressed partially beneath the projection 19 prior toultimate compression of the seal 25. Thereafter by exerting a continuedpressure upon the closure the cam ming bead 32 is forced still furtherbeneath the projection 19 and pressure exerted through the sealing ring35 upon the sealing area defined by the external side 21 bends this sideslightly as indicated in FIGURE 4. The flexure of the bending tends toimpress the projection 19 slightly in a radially inward directionthereby to improve and tighten the sealing relationship of parts. Thefinal pressure also serves to extend the lip 22 into a positionoverlying the exterior of the bead 30 thereby to substantially concealand protect the sealing ring 35. Some distortion of the ring takes placewhich tends to impress the outermost perimeter of the sealing ringoutwardly in the direction of the bead 30 and the lip 22. At the sametime the pressure applied tends also to extend the inner perimeter ofthe sealing ring 35 inwardly and somewhat downwardly into such space asmay remain between the camming head 32 and the projection 19 thereby tofurther assure an effective seal.

It will be noted additionally that by reason of presence of the lip 22the outwardly extending projection 27 of the closure is prevented frombeing collapsed against the outwardly extending projection 16 of thecontainer so that, as clearly shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, a space remainsbetween these parts sufficient so that any dull edge can be readilyinserted in order to pry the closure free of the container. It isfurther significant to note that both the closure and the container arepossessed of smooth rounded edges of double thickness of the materialfrom which they are formed thereby offering added strength and rigidityand at the same time avoiding the employment of dangerously sharp edgeswhich would have a seriously detrimental effect. Moreover, theprojections 16 and 27 are relatively slight, even in the slightlyexaggerated showing of FIGURE 1 so that the final exterior dimension ofthe closed container is scarcely larger than the exterior dimension ofthe normal container wall. This relationship is one which can readily beretained while at the same time preserving all of the advantages of theseal where the containers are to be stacked in cartons and where spaceis at a premium.

On other occasions where it becomes more advantageous to stackcontainers one upon the other a somewhat more generous proportioning maybe employed in order to make use of a depression indicated generally bythe reference character 36 in the closure defined by a sloping wall 37.When this advantage is sought the sloping wall 37 will be made of suchdiameter that it is slightly bigger than the outside diameter at thebottom of the container 10 so that a second container 10', for example,may be nested into the closure and held in place by the sloping The sameconvenience appreciated that other materials may be used as long as theymay be capable of being formed into the shape hereinabove described forthe rim of the container capable of the camming action needed in orderto draw the closure and the seal snugly and firmly into position forsealing the contents.

In one embodiment of the invention illustrated particlarly in FIGURES 5,6 and 7 there is shown the representation of a container 40 in FIGURES 5and 6 and 40 in FIGURE 7 which is supplied with a closure indicatedgenerally by the reference character 41. The container 40 of FIGURES 5and 6 is the customary tin-plated sheet metal can, customarily madecylindrical in form and which may, following conventional practice, havea soldered seam. The container 40 is illustrated as being made of glasssuch as the typical jar in which jelly, pickles, and other food stuffsis merchandised.

With respect to the device 40 of FIGURES 5 and 6 the container comprisesa cylindrical side wall 42 and particularly the upper portion where theside wall is provided with an annular relatively flat sealing surface43. At its outer edge the sealing surface terminates in an annularspacing and reinforcing bead 44 which is formed downwardly relative tothe sealing surface 43. On the inner edge of the sealing surface is aradially inwardly facing convex camming surface 45 of an amply roundedradius of curvature. The axially inner edge of the camming surface isjoined to the side wall 42 by a generously rounded fillet or wallsection 46 which is outwardly convex with respect to the container. Itwill be appreciated that the head 44, the camming surface 45 and thefillet 46 are all annular in form, in keeping with the cylindrical formof the container and the annular form of the sealing surface 43. It isfurther of interest to note that the head 44 extends outwardly withrespect to the outside wall surface of the side wall 42, but for only aslight distance comparable to the diameter of the bead.

The closure is provided with a central bottom or cover plate 47 at theouter edge of which is an annular camming wall 48 extending axiallyupwardly and slightly outwardly at an obtuse angle relative to thebottom 47. The length of the camming wall is something in excess of thediameter of the camming surface 45. Adjoining the upper part of thecamming wall 48 is an annular outwardly convex section 49, axiallyoutwardly of which is a relatively short cylindrical section 50. Thebottom 47, the camming wall 48 together with the convex section 49, andcylindrical section 50, are all joined one to another by relativelygenerous rounded connections.

Overlying the sealing surface 43 of the container is an annular flatsealing surface 51 joined by means of a rounded fillet at its inner edgeto the cylindrical section 50 which may be described as a flange for theinner edge of the sealing surface 51. A- substantially cylindrical skirt52, annular in shape, extends axially downwardly as shown in FIGURES 5,6 and 7, and the skirt is joined to the sealing surface 51 by agenerously rounded corner or fillet 53. An inwardly turned spacing andreinforcing head 54 may be employed to provide the extremity of theskirt 52 with a smooth edge. In the embodiment described an annularsealing washer of some appropriate rubber-like or plastic material isapplied to the sealing surface 51 of the closure at a location overlyingthe sealing surface 43 of the container. tion the breadth of the sealingwasher 55 is relatively ample as compared to the width of the sealingsurface 43 in order to make certain of a secure seal when the closure issealed in position upon the container as illustrated in in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 5 shows the relationship of the parts immediately prior to thesealing operation. With the parts in the position of FIGURE 5, pressureis applied to the top of the closure and as pressure continues thecamming wall 48 will move in camrned relationship with respect to thecamming surface 45 of the container and the metal For purposes ofillustra- 6 of the closure will yield slightly to the camming force, asmay also the adjacent portions of the container 40 embodied in thecamming surface 45 and the sealing surface 43.

Subsequent to the application of pressure upon the container and theyielding of one or more of the parts as described, the convex section 49will be forced to the position shown in FIGURE 6. In this position theconvex section 49 underlies to a slight extent the camming surface 45 sothat by reason of the inherent resilience of the materials of the partsunder consideration, the tendency even after the closure has reached asealed position, is to augment the seal as the convex section tends topress itself beneath the camming surface 45. While these operations aretaking place the sealing washer 55 is impressed against not only thesealing surface 51 which may carry it, but also against the sealingsurface 43 of the container. Pressure will always be present upon bothfaces of the seal and the pressure will tend therefore to seal the rimof the container so as to provide an airtight package within a chamberindicated generally by the reference character 56 which is in fact theinterior of the container.

During the closing operation just made reference to, the skirt 52 ispressed downwardly as the closure moves downwardly until the head 54overlies the outside surface of the upper portion of the side wall 42.The distance of the skirt 51 and particularly the bead 54 from theexterior surface of the side wall 42 is relatively narrow, but may bemade large enough to admit insertion of some appropriate conventionalprying edge when the closure is to be removed. Meanwhile, during closedand sealed position the skirt 52 effectively conceals a sealing washer55 and the details of the sealing. The skirt and its bead 54 form a neatfinished appearance for the closure when in position upon the container.

When the closure is to be removed, the skirt 52 can be lifted,preferably at one edge to break the seal, the lifting serving to forcethe convex section 49 outwardly relative to the camming surface 45 untilthe camming wall 48 again begins to slide along the camming surface 45.Once the camming section 49 is passed outwardly to approximately theposition of FIGURE 5, the closure can be easily removed and access hadto the contents of the container.

Inasmuch as no mutilation, bending or distortion of the skirt, or anyportion of the closure 11, is necessary to unseal and unseat theclosure, it is readily possible to reseal the container by forcing theclosure again into the position of FIGURE 6. Neither reclosing norreopening of the container need cause any damage or mutilation to theclosure and 'hence, the container can be opened and closed repeatedlyuntil the contents are finally used. Furthermore, because of the cammingaction between the convex section 49 and the camming surface 45 alwaystending to force the closure inwardly into the container, there isalways a tendency to provide pressure against the sealing washer 55 onboth sides and hence, there is in a sense an automatic sealing of theclosure on the container whenever the closure is reapplied. This,therefore, makes a fluid tight seal which is highly advantageous andmakes also a seal of sufficient mechanical strength so that even thoughthe container might be laid on its side or even inverted, the closurewill remain in place.

The container 40' although made of glass, or perhaps of plastic orsimilar material, has the general attributes of the container 40 withsome minor exceptions. As shown, the container 40 is provided with acylindrical side wall 60, the upper portion of which is connected to acamming surface 61 by means of a generously rounded inwardly concavefillet or wall section 62. A relatively fiat annular sealing surface 63which is actually a wall section spaced from the fillet 62 joins thecamming surface 61 at its outer end and the sealing surface 63 isprovided with an outwardly convex rounded or beaded portion 64 whichextends downwardly to the outside surface of the side wall 6%. In thisinstance a solid mass 65 of the same material as the container serves tostrengthen the edge of the container and hence, such yielding as may benecessary to make the closure work need be supplied by the material ofthe closure itself.

In the form of invention of FIGURE 6a, a closure 41 is given a slightlydifferent form at the outermost edge where a skirt 52' has a head 54turned outwardly instead of inwardly. In other respects the closure iscon structed substantially the same as in FIGURE 6 having, as shown, afillet 53' connecting the skirt with a sealing surface 51'. Acylindrical section 50 interconnects the sealing surface 51' with anoutwardly convex section 49' which cooperates in the previouslydescribed manner with the inwardly convex camming surface 45 of thecontainer 40. Constructed in this fashion, more room is provided for anappropriate prying tool, if need be, between the bead 54' land the wall42 of the container, while, in fact, the skirt 52 may be actuallysmaller in diameter, relatively than the skirt 52 of FIGURE 6, and the-outermost diameter of the bead 54 may be also held to a smaller size.

On occasions where resort may be had to a conventiona1 bottle opener, anannular reinforcing bead 95 is provided on a top portion 47' againstwhich the end of the bottle opener may be pressed when llifting againstthe bead 54' so as to avoid marrin-g or distorting of the closure or itsseal. This affords still greater assurance that the closure can beresealed even though roughly handled when it is being opened.

In the form of invention illustrated in FIGURES 8, 9 and 10, a containerindicated generally by the reference character 70 has applied thereto aclosure indicated gene'raltly by the reference character 71. Thecontainer has a generally cylindrical side wall 72 terminating at itsupper edge in a rounded corner 73 serving as a reinforcing bead whichjoins an annular flat sealing surface 74. At the inner edge of thesealing surface 74 is a camming surface 75 which extends radiallyinwardly and axially downwardly toward an interior chamber 76 of thecontainer. Inner and outer sections 74' and 74" respectively lyingbetween the corner 72 and the camming surface 75 constitute a part ofthe wall of the container. The sealing surface 74 occupies part of theouter section 74".

The closure 71 has a dished central portion 77 defined in part by abottom wall 78. At the outer periphery of the bottom wall 78 is acamming wall 79 joined to the bottom wall by a generously curved portion80, the camming wall being extended axially endwardly and slightlyoutwardly making an obtuse angle with respect to the plane of the bottomwall 78. At the top of the camming wall 79 is an outwardly convexcamming section 81 which adjoins a short cylindrical section or flange82. A wide annular relatively flat sealing surface 83 extends radiallyoutwardly from the cylindrical section 82 to which it is joined, thesealing surface terminating at its outer end in a skirt 84 which is areversely bent .portion of the material forming the closure. The skirthas one section 85 substantially parallel to and spaced from thecylindrical section 82 forming a space there between within which ispositioned a sealing washer 86. The skirt is also possessed of an outersection 87 which extends upwardly to a level axially inwardly relativeto the sealing surface 83 and thence outwardly to form a prying flange88 for added strength as well as neatness of appearance. The pryingflange consists of a doubly bent section of the closure material anunderlying portion 89 of which extends radially inwardly almost to thesection 87. An outermost rounded bead 90 of the prying flange may extendslightly outwardly relative to the exterior surface of the side wall 72.

When the closure is to be applied to the container it is first moved tothe relative position shown in FIGURE 8. As pressure is then applied tothe closure, the camming wall '79 will cam against the camming surface75 forcing materials of either the container or the closure or both toyield slightly until the camming section 81 is forced to a locationbeneath the camming surface 75 as shown in FIGURE 10. Pressure exertedby the camming action as the camming section 81 tends to force itselffurther and further beneath the camming surface 75, tends to impress thesealing surfaces 74 and 83 against the sealing washer 86 thereby to makea fluid tight seal. The skirt 84 is so proportioned that the lowermostend of the skirt as viewed in FIGURE 10 will not engage the sealingsurface 74 until after an effective seal is made with the sealingwasher. The skirt, however, does serve to prevent the prying flange 88from being forced into contact with the sealing surface and hence, therewill always remain a space 91 within which may be inserted a spoonhandle, knife edge, or other appropriate pry for use when the closure isto be removed from the container. Because of the construction of theparts as described, when a pry is used to dislodge one side of theclosure from the container, forcing the camming section 81 upwardlyagainst the camming surface 75 until it is released, the closure is inno way mutilated nor is the container mutilated as the closure isremoved. Consequently the closure can be reapplied repeatedly until thecontents of the can are entirely removed.

Although both the sealing washer 55 and the sealing washer 86 areindicated as separate washers, it will be understood that sealingmaterial can be painted upon one or another of the sealing surfaces atthe same location, in which event the sealing material will serve thepurpose of sealing the closure in place upon the contanier for repeatedapplications of the closure in the fashion as has already beendescribed.

It will be clear from the foregoing description that there has beenprovided a very simple type of sealing construction for holding aclosure upon a container which can be removed without mutilating eitherthe closure or the container by simple conventional means and which alsoprovides a type of seal such that after removal the closure can bereapplied repeatedly and experience the same tightening effect producedby the camming bead and its counterpart whereby the closure is not onlyheld in place but is held in place in a rescaled condition without theneed for any special rescaling technique other than pressing the closureinto position. Although considerable emphasis has been placed upon thevalue of the seal described herein for use in packing foods, it will beunderstood that the seal is equally effective for all manner ofmaterials and substances which are effectively preserved in hermeticallysealed containers.

While the invention has herein been shown and described in what isconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein butis to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any andall equivalent devices.

I-Iaving described the invention, what is claimed as new in support ofLetters Patent is:

1. A sealed package comprising a container and a closure therefor, saidcontainer comprising a peripheral wall open at one end, a rim on saidwall at the open end, said rim comprising an annular substantiallyradially extending sealing surface, an annular radially inwardly convexportion adjacent the inner edge of the sealing surface located radiallyinwardly of the peripheral wall and axially inwardly of the sealingsurfaces, and an annular outwardly facing reinforcing bead on the wallof said container removed from said sealing surface located outwardly ofsaid sealing surface, said closure comprising a cover plate having anannular substantially radially extending sealing surface, an annularreinforcing bead on said closure located and facing generally outwardlyrelative to said last identified sealing surface and relative to saidfirst identified reinforcing bead, there being a portion of said closurelying between the sealing surface and reinforcing bead of said closure,an intermediate portion of the closure at the inner edge of said lastidentified sealing surface extending in a generally axial directiontoward said container, said intermediate portion having an annularoutwardly convex camming section extending to a position underlying saidinwardly convex portion and having a diameter slightly greater than saidinwardly convex portion, and an annular seailng member confined underpressure between said annular sealing surfaces.

2. A sealed package comprising a container and a closure therefor, saidcontainer comprising a cylindrical wall open at one end, a rim on saidwall at said open end, said rim comprising an annular inwardly extendingcontainer wall section integral with the upper edge of said cylindricalwall and extending radially inwardly beyond the inner surface of thecylindrical wall and defining an annular radially inwardly convexportion at its inner edge, an annular radially outwardly extendingcontainer wall section integral with the upper edge of said convexportion and extending radially outwardly and lying axially outwardly ofsaid convex portion, said outwardly extending container wall sectionterminating in a reinforcing bead integral with the outer periphery ofsaid radially outwardly extending container wall portion, said closurecomprising a top plate, an annular outwardly convex rim integral withthe plate at the periphery and comprising an annular closure flangehaving at least a portion extending in a radial direction, anintermediate portion extending from said annular closure flange axiallytoward said container, an annular outwardly convex camming sectionintegral with the intermediate portion extending to a position partiallyunderlying said inwardly convex portion of the container and having adiameter slightly greater than said inwardly convex portion of thecontainer, and an annular sealing ring confined under pressure betweensaid annular closure flange and said outwardly extending container wallsection.

3. A sealed package comprising a container and a closure therefor, saidcontainer comprising a cylindrical wall open at one end, a rim on saidwall at said open end, said rim comprising an annular radially extendingcontainer wall section integral with the upper edge of said cylindricalwall and extending radially beyond the inner surface of the cylindricalwall in the form of an annular radially inwardly convex portion, anannular radially outwardly extending container wall section integralwith the upper edge of said convex portion and extending radiallyoutwardly and lying axially outwardly of said convex portion, saidcontainer wall section terminating in a reinforcing bead integral withthe outer periphery of said radially outwardly extending container wallsection, said closure comprising a cover plate, an annular outwardlyconvex rim integral with the plate and including a reinforcing bead atthe periphery, a portion of said cover plate comprising an annularclosure flange section extending radially over said container wallsection, at least one of said beads comprising a spacing medium betweenthe exterior of said closure flange section and the exterior of saidcontainer wall section, an intermediate closure portion extending fromsaid annular closure flange section axially toward said container, anannular outwardly convex camming section integral with the intermediateclosure portion and having a diameter slightly greater than saidinwardly convex portion of the container, and an annular sealing meansconfined under pressure between said wall sections.

4. A sealed package comprising a container and a closure therefor, saidcontainer comprising a cylindrical wall open at one end, a rim on saidwall at said open end, said rim comprising an annular inwardly extendingcontainer flange integral with the upper edge of said cylindrical walland extending radially inwardly beyond the inner surface of thecylindrical wall in the form of an annular radially inwardly convexportion, an annular radially outwardly extending container flangeintegral with the upper edge of said convex portion and extendingradially outwardly and lying axially outwardly of said convex portion,said outwardly extending container flange terminating in a lip portionintegral with the outer periphery of said radially outwardly extendingcontainer flange and extending in a direction axially away from saidcylindrical wall, said closure comprising a top plate, an annularoutwardly convex rim integral with the plate at the periphery andcomprising an annular closure flange extending radially inwardly fromsaid convex rim, an intermediate closure portion extending from saidannular closure flange axially toward said container, an annularoutwardly convex carnming section integral with the intermediate closureportion extending to a position partially underlying said annularclosure flange and having a diameter slightly greater than said inwardlyconvex portion of the container, and an annular sealing ring confinedunder pressure between said annular closure flange and said outwardlyextending container flange.

5. A sealed package comprising a container and a closure therefor, saidcontainer comprising a cylindrical wall open at one end, a rim on saidwall at said open end, said rim comprising an annular inwardly extendingcontainer flange integral with the upper edge of said cylindrical walland extending radially inwardly beyond the inner surface of thecylindrical wall and forming an annular radially inwardly extendingconvex portion, an annular radially outwardly extending container flangein tegral with the upper edge of said convex portion and extendingradially outwardly and terminating in an outside lip portion integralwith the outer periphery of said radially outwardly extending containerflange and extending in a direction axially away from said cylindricalwall, said closure comprising a top plate, an annular outwardly convexrim integral with the plate at the periphery and comprising a firstannular closure flange extending radially inwardly from said convex rim,said last flange having an inner annular projecting portion thereofextending axially toward the container to a location intermediate outerand inner peripheries of said second container flange and a secondannular closure flange integral with the first closure flange extendingradially inwardly therefrom, an intermediate closure portion extendingaxially toward said container, an annular outwardly convex cammingsection integral with the intermediate closure portion extending to aposition partially underlying said second annular closure flange andhaving a diameter slightly greater than said inwardly convex portion,and an annular sealing ring confined under pressure within said annularprojecting portion and between said second annular closure flange andsaid outwardly extending container flange.

6. A sealed package comprising a container and a closure therefor, saidcontainer comprising a cylindrical wall open at one end, a rim on saidwall at said open end, said rim comprising a first annular containerflange extending radially out-wardly beyond said cylindrical wall, anaxially extending portion integral with the outer periphery of saidfirst container flange and extending in a direction axially away fromsaid cylindrical wall, an inwardly extending second annular containerflange integral with the upper edge of said axially extending pontionand extending radially inwardly beyond the inner surface of thecylindrical wall and forming an annular radially inwardly convexportion, a third radially outwardly extending annular container flangeintegral with the upper edge of said convex portion and extendingradially outwardly and terminating in a second axially extending portionintegral with the outer periphery of said third radially outwardlyextending container flange and extending in a direction axially awayfrom said cylindrical wall, said second axially extending port-ionterminating at its top edge in a lip portion, said closure comprising atop plate, an annular outwardly convex rim integral with the plate atthe periphery having about the same maximum diameter as the firstidentified axially extending portion of the container, a first annularclosure flange integral with said last rim and extending radiallyinwardly from said rim and spaced axially from said second annularcontainer flange whereby to accommodate an opening instrument, said lastflange having an annular bead at an inner portion thereof extendingaxially toward the container to a location intermediate outer and innerperipheries of said third annular container flange, and a second annularclosure flange integral with the bead extending radially inwardly fromthe bead, an intermediate annular closure portion extending axiallytoward said container, an annular outwardly convex camming sectionintegral with the intermediate annular closure portion extending to aposition partially underlying said second annular closure flange andhaving a diameter slightly greater than the inwardly convex portion, andan annular sealing ring confined within said bead and under pressurebetween said second annular closure flange and said second annularcontainer flange.

7. A sealed package comprising a container and a closure therefor, saidcontainer comprising a cylindrical wall open at one end, a rim on saidwall at said open end, said rim comprising an annular inwardly extendingcontainer flange integral with the upper edge of said cylindrical walland extending radially inwardly beyond the inner surface of thecylindrical wall in the form of an annular radially inwardly convexportion, an annular radially outwardly extending container flangeintegral with the upper edge of said convex portion and extendingradially outwardly and lying axially outwardly of said convex portion,said outwardly extending container flange terminating in a lip portionintegral with the outer periphery of said radially outwardly extendingcontainer flange, said closure comprising a top plate, an annularoutwardly convex rimintegral with the plate at the periphery andcomprising an annular closure flange extending radially inwardly fromsaid convex rim, said closure flange being spaced from said inwardlyextending container flange by the presence of said lip, an intermediateclosure portion extending from said annular closure flange axiallytoward said container, an annular outwardly convex camming sectionintegral with the intermediate closure portion and having a diameterslightly greater than said inwardly convex portion of the container, andan annular sealing means confined under pressure between said annularclosure flange and said outwardly extending container flange.

8. A sealed package comprising a container having an annular side wallportion and a sealing rim at the outer end of said side wall portion,and a closure adapted to engage said rim, said rim comprising an annularsealing surface, an annular smooth outer edge for said surface, anannular radially inwardly facing convex camming surface joining theinside edge of said sealing surface and a smooth fillet joining saidcamming surface with said side wall portion, said closure comprising acentral area having a bottom, an annular camming wall sloping at anobtuse angle axially outwardly from said bottom and adapted to'camagainst said camming surface during application of said closure, anannular outwardly convex section at the outer end of said camming walladapted to engage beneath said camming surface in sealed position of theclosure, an annular sealing surface and a section of said closurejoining said last sealing surface to said convex section, a skirt havinga diameter greater than the diameter of said outer edge of the rimhaving an extremity overlying said smooth outer edge in sealed position,a

section of said closure joining said skirt with the outer edge of saidlast sealing surface and a fluid tight seal on one of said sealingsurfaces in sealed relationship with the other sealing surface in closedposition of said closure.

9. A sealed package comprising a sheet metal container having an annularside wall portion and a sealing rim at the outer end of said side wallportion, and a sheet metal closure adapted to engage said rim, said rimcomprising an annular flat sealing surface, an annular beaded outer edgefor said surface of diameter slightly larger than the outside diameterof said side Wall portion, an annular radially inwardly facing arcuateconvex camming surface joining the inside edge of said sealing surfaceand an annular inwardly concave fillet joining said camming surface withsaid side wall portion, said closure comprising a centrally depressedarea having a bottom, an annular camming wall sloping at an obtuse angleaxially outwardly from said bottom and adapted to cam again-st saidcamming surface during application of said closure to the container, anannular outwardly convex section at the outer end of said camming walladapted to engage beneath said camming surface in sealed position of theclosure, an annular flat sealing surface having an inner annular flangesmaller in diameter than said camming surface and joining said lastsealing surface to said convex section, a skirt having a diametergreater than the diameter of said beaded outer edge having an inwardlybeaded extremity underlying said beaded outer edge in sealed position,an outwardly convex fillet joining said skirt with the outer edge ofsaid last sealing surface and a fluid tight seal on one of said sealingsurfaces in sealed relationship with the other sealing surface in closedposition of said closure.

10. A sealed package comprising a glass container having an annular sidewall portion and a sealing rim at the outer end of said portion, and asheet metal closure adapted to engage said rim, said rim comprising anannular flat sealing surface, an annular rounded outer edge for saidsurface of diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of saidside wall portion, an annular radial- 1y inwardly facing convex surfacejoining the inside edge of said sealing surface, an annular inwardlyconcave fillet joining said camming surface with said side Wall portion,and a mass of said glass entirely filling the space between the roundedouter edge, the camming surface and the fillet, said closure comprisinga central area having a bottom, an annular camming wall sloping at anobtuse angle axially outwardly from said bottom and adapted to camagainst said camming surface during application of said closure, anannular outwardly convex section at the outer end of said camming walladapted to engage beneath said camming surface in sealed position of theclosure, an annular flat sealing surface having an inner annular flangesmaller in diameter than said camming surface and joining said lastsealing surface to said convex section, a skirt having a diametergreater than the diameter of said rounded outer edge having roundedextremity underlying said rounded outer edge in sealed position, aportion of said closure joining said skirt with the outer edge of saidlast sealing surface and a fluid tight seal on one of said sealingsurfaces in sealed relationship with the other sealing surface in closedposition of said closure.

11. A sealed package comprising a container having an annular side wallportion and a sealing rim at the outer end of said portion, and a sheetmetal closure adapted to engage said sealing rim, said rim comprising anannular sealing surface, one edge of said surface being in the form of arounded bead and the other edge having a rounded attachment to said sidewall portion, one of said beads providing an annular convex radiallyinwardly facing camming surface, said closure comprising a centrallydepressed area having a bottom, an annular camming wall sloping at anobtuse angle axially outwardly from said bottom and adapted to camagainst said camming surface during application of said closure to saidcontainer, an annular outwardly convex section at the outer end of saidcamming wall adapted to engage beneath said camming surface in sealedposition of the closure, an annular sealing surface having an annularskirt at the outer edge thereof and extending toward said sealingsurface of the container, a smooth rim at the outermost perimeter ofsaid skirt and an annular seal between said sealing surfaces locatedinwardly of and concealed by said skirt, said seal having the inner edgethereof joining said convex section, the smooth rim when the closure isin sealed position being spaced from an adjacent edge of the sealingsurface of said closure.

12. A sealed package comprising a container having an .annular side wallportion and a sealing rim at the outer end of said portion, and a sheetmetal closure adapted to engage said sealing rim, said rim comprising anannular flat sealing surface, an inwardly facing edge of said surfacebeing in the form of a rounded bead and the outer edge having a roundedattachment to said side wall portion, said first edge providing anannular convex radially inwardly facing camming surface, said closurecomprising a centrally depressed area having a bottom, an annularcamming Wall sloping at an obtuse angle axially outwardly from saidbottom and adapted to cam against said camming surface duringapplication of said closure to said container, an annular outwardlyconvex section at the outer end of said camming wall adapted to engagebeneath said camming surface in sealed position of the closure, anannular flat sealing surface having an annular skirt formed of reversefolds of the sheet metal at the outer edge of said last sealing surfaceand extending toward said sealing surface of the container, a radiallyoutwardly extending beaded rim at the outermost perimeter of said skirtand an annular seal between said sealing surfaces located inwardly ofand concealed by said skirt, said seal having the inner edge thereoflocated outwardly relative to said outwardly convex section, the beadedrim when the closure is in sealed position being spaced axially from thesealing surface of said closure whereby to provide space for insertionof a prying device.

13. A sealed package comprising a container and a closure therefor, saidcontainer comprising a peripheral wall open at one end, a rim on saidwall at the open end, said rim comprising an annular substantiallyradially extending sealing surface, an annular radially inwardly convexportion adjacent the inner edge of the sealing surface located radiallyinwardly of the peripheral wall and axially inwardly of the sealingsurface, said closure comprising a cover plate having an annularsubstantially radially extending sealing surface, an annular reinforcingbead on said closure located and facing generally outwardly relative tosaid last identified sealing surface, there being a portion of saidclosure lying between the sealing surface and reinforcing bead of saidclosure, said last bead in closed position .of the closure being spacedoutwardly of endmost portions of the container, an intermediate portionof the closure at the inner edge of said last identified sealing surfaceextending in a generally axial direction toward said container, saidintermediate portion having an annular outwardly convex camming sectionextending to a position underlying said inwardly convex portion andhaving a diameter slightly greater than said inwardly convex portion,and an annular sealing member confined under pressure between saidannular sealing surfaces.

14. A sealed package comprising a container and a closure therefor, saidcontainer comprising a cylindrical wall open at one end, a rim on saidwall at said open end, said rim comprising an annular radially extendingcontainer wall section integral with the upper edge of said cylindricalWall and extending radially beyond the inner surface of the cylindricalwall and terminating in an annular radially inwardly convex portion,said closure comprising a cover plate, an annular outwardly convex rimintegral with the plate and including a reinforcing bead at theperiphery, a portion of said cover plate comprising an annular closureflange section extending radially over said container wall section,oppositely facing means on said sections comprising a spacing mediumbetween the exterior of said closure flange section and the exterior ofsaid container wall section, an intermediate closure portion extendingfrom said annular closure flange section axially toward said container,an annular outwardly convex camming section integral with the in- THERONE. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

G. T. HALL, Assistant Examiner.

1. A SEALED PACKAGE COMPRISING A CONTAINER AND A CLOSURE THEREFOR, SAIDCONTAINER COMPRISING A PERIPHERAL WALL OPEN AT ONE END, A RIM ON SAIDWALL AT THE OPEN END, SAID RIM COMPRISING AN ANNULAR SUBSTANTIALLYRADIALLY EXTENDING SEALING SURFACE, AND ANNULAR RADIALLY INWARDLY CONVEXPORTION ADJACENT THE INNER EDXGE OF THE SEALING SURFACE LOCATED RADIALLYINWARDLY OF THE PERIPHERAL WALL AND AXIALLY INWARDLY OF THE SEALINGSURFACES, AND AN ANNULAR OUTWARDLY FACING REINFORCING HEAD ON THE WALLOF SAID CONTAINER REMOVED FROM SAID SEALING SURFACE LOCATED OUTWARDLY OFSAID SEALING SURFACE, SAID CLOSURE COMPRISING A COVER PLATE HAVING ANANNULAR SUBSTANTIALLY RADIALLY EXTENDING SEALING SURFACE, AN ANNULARREINFORCING HEAD ON SAID CLOSURE LOCATED AND FACING GENERALLY OUTWARDLYRELATIVE TO SAID LAST IDENTIFIED SEALING SURFACE AND RELATIVE TO SAIDFIRST IDENTIFIED REINFORCING HEAD, THERE BEING A PORTION OF SAID CLOSURELYING BETWEEN THE SEALING SURFACE AND REINFORCING BEAD OF SAID CLOSURE,AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION OF THE CLOSURE AT THE INNER EDGE OF SAID LASTIDENTIFIED SEALING SURFACE EXTENDING IN A GENERALLY AXIAL DIRECTIONTOWARD SAID CONTAINER, SAID INTERMEDIATE PORTION HAVING AN ANNULAROUTWARDLY CONVEX CAMMING SECTION EXTENDING TO A POSITION UNDERLYING SAIDINWARDLY CONVEX PORTION AND HAVING A DIAMETER SLIGHLY GREATER THAN SAIDINWARDLY CONVEX PORTION, AND AN ANNULAR SEAILNG MEMBER CONFINED UNDERPRESSURE BETWEEN SAID ANNULAR SEALING SURFACES.